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Rooney and Rashford

Louis Van Gaal can't drop Marcus Rashford and he doesn't like picking teams without Wayne Rooney. Both have been at their best this season when they've played as the central striker but in Van Gaal's system there is only room for one.

If he wants to pick them both the Dutchman has to find a way of playing them together. The most obvious solution is using Rooney as the No.10 behind Rashford. And, after a trial against Aston Villa, it's likely to get another go against Palace.

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Manchester United had the chance to smash Aston Villa on Saturday and they didn't take it. In fact, they almost paid the price when Villa went close at the end.

As the game dragged on, the fans inside Old Trafford were visibly frustrated and it prompted van Gaal to say afterwards that United had to be more entertaining. He's got a chance against Palace – a team who have won just once since the turn of the year – to prove they weren't just meaningless words.

Daley Blind

Van Gaal admitted at his press conference he is struggling to keep his players fresh while still picking teams capable of winning important games. A midweek game against Crystal Palace is an inconvenience four days before an FA Cup semi-final but United can't afford to lose if they want to finish in the top four.

Daley Blind hasn't missed a game since October and Van Gaal has said before that the defender has reached what he calls the 'red zone'. Van Gaal will need him for the run-in and Palace might be the last available opportunity to give him a rest.

The full-backs

Antonio Valencia had a good game against Villa, setting up Rashford's goal, and his return from injury has added to Van Gaal's options at full-back.

Marcos Rojo has started the last 11 games at left-back while Matteo Darmian hasn't started since the 1-0 win over Everton at the beginning of April. Timothy Fosu-Mensah was in fantastic form against Tottenham and West Ham but was rested for the win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Playing for places

It's a big week. The injury list is clearing up and everyone will want to start when United line up against Everton at Wembley on Saturday.

Van Gaal will already have an idea of the team he wants to pick for the FA Cup semi-final but nothing will be set in stone. There is still a chance a good performance against Palace can force someone into the team for Wembley.